What is a potential complication of the PTC procedure?

The PTC (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography) procedure involves accessing the biliary system through the skin and liver to visualize and/or treat biliary obstructions. One of the recognized complications of this procedure is sepsis, which is a severe response to an infection that can occur when bacteria enter the bloodstream. Given the nature of the PTC procedure—where there is a risk of introducing bacteria from the skin or bowel into the sterile biliary system—there is a potential for developing an infection that could lead to sepsis.

In practice, this risk underlines the importance of rigorous aseptic techniques, careful patient selection, and appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis when necessary to minimize the risk of infection during and after the procedure. Hence, recognizing sepsis as a potential complication highlights the serious risks associated with PTC, particularly when dealing with biliary tract interventions.